Mowing implement



Feb. 20,` 1940. s, CLAPPER 2,191,426

MOWING IMPLEMENT Original Filed-March 16, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 R I r] 1 I a P Q w f 6 A F l. u n V .L m *n II r ...||l||.|||.||.l||||.|.1|+L S G LR .W W Wl QN w. M S b wv l. 1 'i n wuvlmmmmw. n n v l Ill., .`N `N M WW 5N QM. o W 1v o a, s s@ s a al.; if! ma n w. m\ T o M@ NQ M MU; Uv 6% Num Q Q\\ mw \V QN sm mm mm QS b @l Feb.' 20, 1.940. J. s. cLAPPER MOWING IMPLEMENT Original Filed March 16, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 [72h/Infor .fo/1N CLAPPER A Trona/vens Feb. 20, 1940. J. s. CLAPPER 2,191,426

' MowING IMPLEMENT' original Filed March 1,6, 1956 e sheets-sheet 5 tfam/v il CLAPPEE ,MMM

rroA/E yf u the cuts.

v Patented Feb. 20, r1940 John l. S. Clapper, Minneapolis, y Minn., assigner toy Toro Manufacturing Corporation of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., 1 a corporation of Minnesota Application March.; 1c, 1936,".seria1 No. 69,180 Renewed January 24, y1938 'c4 Claims.

" This invention relates generally` to improvel ments in mowing `implements vand'also'toa mowing implement which is particularly adapted for `L mowingthe greenszof -golf-courses. For mowing.

35E greens, itis ofcourse desirable, andit is an object of this inventionto so construct andhso operate kthe machine as to obtain maximum cutting and speed efficiency witha ininimumof injurytothe grass.v

m Heretofore it has Vbeen the general practice to use more than two `units and to,ar1ange they i units to cut overlapping swaths. One of the'ob- `jections to the use of such an implement is that'it `is more diiiicult rto make the turns at theA ends` of At thepresent time it is theoaccepted method "of mowing golf" greens to mowby going y backand forthin opposite directionsgiving aout in which alternatev swaths are Acut infopposite ,directions throughout vthe whole width yof the i2 'green. rI his going back and vforth on Ithe green in'opposite directionsnecessitates, at the end of each cut, the turning offthemachine through anl angle of 180 before starting back in the fopDOsite directions-.1 This invention provides an j imple- 215 mentWhiChjfoan be' easily turned without injury to the green.

- A feature of this inventionvis *an implement having onlyv two mowers held in spaced relation byv suitable spacing means to which theyare vattached for rocking movement` substantially 'infa f vertical plane which is .transverse to the directionk of travel.

Another feature relates to the method of driv` i ing'the mowers, in'which the rolling elements or'- :55 'driving drums of the mowers are separately driven and in which the cuttersare separately driven, so that cutter operation can bedisconv tinued, while the drums are operated to drive- `the implement from one green to another'. 4 v .4b Another feature relates to the drivingof one f Vcutter by the other through a? shaft connectionr lyingbe't'ween the inner ends of the unitsv and so constructed as to allow the unitstorookin the 'y aforesaid plane which is perpendicularfto* the i 5 direction of motion, along with similar means for driving one drum by theother. i y y rFeatures include allfdetails of constructionv relating to themountinggand movements 'of -the s units and themounting and motions of the drivi- .of meansinherent inthe disclosure', vincluding combinations and sub-combinationsof the'parts.

Objects, features and advantages of the inveniormity .to ground' contours; n

' one cuter reel tothe other and from one-drum f units;

Figure 9 is a. ve tical transverse section illus- 'trating `a quickly .attachalole and j detachable i Figure 101s a .top ,vplan view of part of .the "aty L'Eigure 12 `is -a detail vertical *section on line*v i ing connections; along with all the-broaderiideas f tion will be' set forth in the 'description of theA drawings forming a part of lthis -applcation'and in .saldi-drawings Figure lis a topkplan View, showing the cutterclutch open orouuandvthe drum clutch closed 01111;klv v, Figuref2 `is a .front elevation partly in section 5 showing the yielding pivoted and yielding sliding connections betweenthe frame and. the y'front sides of thel mower units; t f

Figure 3 is an 'end elevation looking from the 10" left sident Figure 1 or from the ien side cirig-v v me 2; t 1 y Figure` 4 is y l a `vertical crosssection approxi- `matelyon-line 4-4jof Figure 1;.K` i t P ,Y l l e Figure -5 is a viront*elevation illustratingthew action of the lunits tovindependently move in con-Y `Figure-6 is a top pian of the' units wui'the spacingmeans or connecting frame removed, and

`showing the through driving connections from to the other, `alongwith thealigning links; I y

Figure 7 isa rear elevation, partly in section, showing the yielding `ll'voted land sliding connecl tions between thevframe andthe rear sides of the i "Figure 8 is atop plan view illustratingthearrangement of the grip-or handle-operatedl clutch controlelements and their clutches;

wheel-providing means by which the cutters are raised and held raisedpreparatoryto and during transportation from one green t'another;

tachment of Figure; t y

Figure llis a side elevation furtherillustrating theconnectionsfor the grip orhandle-operated clutch control .elements;.-, l I f Figure :13 isfa horizontal section on line lf3-43 ofrFigure 2; r Y j r i Figure v 14: visa vertical' detail vsection Von line l4-l41of .Figure 2,ill`ustratingthe sliding and v pivotal connection of one of the units-withfthe spacing means -or'frame;an'd y L v,Figure '15l is :a vertical detail section on line |5--I5v of Figure 22i'illustrating the lpivotal conneci tionfof .the other unit with thespacing means. i s5") Referring first to 'Figuresjl and 2: :'ll'henu-` meral l* i generally designates the right-*hand `mower .and numeral `fl'vthe yleft-handmoweixA These ymowers will loe vhereinafter referred to as `unitsand cach, lmt iS providedwith a rolling sup-55 ground contours.

port 4 in this instance having a form of a drum. Each unit is also provided with a cutter indicated in dotted lines at 6. It will be understood that each unit is provided with the usual means for regulating the length or degree of the cut, this means v.including rollers 8 attached to the usual levers which are pivoted for adjustment, and which have means by which fine and accurate depth adjustment can be made. ception that the drums or rolling elements do not operate the cutters, the construction of each unit is standard and since this standard construction is not claimed herein, no detailed description of its parts is given.

The units are aligned in a direction transverse to their direction of travel,"and their inner ends generally have the spaced relation shown, ralthough the degree of spacing may be varied. A spacing and connecting means for the units, in this instance, comprises a frame, see Figure 2,

vcomposed essentially of six-principal `'frame elements, two elongated elements, front and rear, respectively indicated -atIIl and I I, and four additional elements symmetrically arranged at each side of the middle lof the elements `IG and II. Two ofthese elements vare indicated at I2 and arearranged near to and one at each side of the middle andtwo others are indicatedat I3 and are arranged near the ends of elements ill and "I I. The members I2 are angle irons; the members I3 are bars.- v Y Means for each unit is provided connecting it to the spacing means or frame-to permit independent movements -of the unit conformably to lground contours. Referring to Figures2 and 13:

vertical axis, so that the mower is held square with the line of movement. Means fis also provided for yieldably holding the mowers against rise but permitting lthem to rise conformably to This yielding means also supports the bar l I in a position spaced upwardly from the cross barslon the units, now to be dei scribed. The left-hand unit is provided atits front with a longitudinally extending cross-bar I5.l A bracket I6 is attached near the end of the front bar-II and has a downwardly extending portion which forms with the vertical flange I1 of the frame bar Il, a pocket or fork. into and through which the element I extends.y A bolt I 8 passes horizontally through the depending portions of the bracket lli-and flange I'L A leaf spring 20 is attached as at 2l to the. horizontal ange of the bar Il, and extends, as shown, and has its outer end normally spaced downwardly from the horizontal ange of the bar. II to bear against the upper surface of the bar I5 so that tially the same'manner previously described, with n the exception that no'fspring is here used. This With the eXv `with turn buckles.

`and both reels.

unit which bridges the bars 25 and 29.

bearing4 is capable of slight swinging movement 'in a horizontal plane, vconformably to similar moange of the bar I I and acts in the same manner as spring A2l) to hold the lower side of the bar 25 against the nut 25 of the bolt 2l. The right-hand unit, rsee Figure 7, has at its rear a cross-bar 29 corresponding to` cross-bar 22 of the left-hand unit, and' the connection between the bar I0 of the frame andthis bar 29 is made by means of the bolt 3B. `The spring is omitted here, as for the connection 2 I. Each unit is thus attached at two points to the frame, and these points of attachment are spaced and aligned in direction of travel of the unit. i Y

Referring to Figure 6: It is noted that the units are `.connected together respectively attheir forward andA rear .sides by means of rods. provided .The front connection is indicated'at 30, and the rear connection is indicated at 3|; The bars Ahave in-turned rends -32 which pass through and swing in openings, in pairs of brackets 33--34. The brackets 34 are attached to .or are `extensions of bars I5 and 25 vand the brackets 33v are attached toor made extensions of crossfbars 22 and 29 at the rear of the units. These connections BIJ- 3| provide means whereby rocking movement` of the right-hand unit,.see Figure 5, can cause theleft-handunit to slide at its points of connection with thevv frame.

An important feature of this invention relates to the manner of separately driving both-drums, Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3.and 4, and first .toFgure 1: .Numeral 3.5 generally indicatesan engine or motor of any preferred `type capableof providing power for operating the drums and the. cutters. on the Yc rossjirons I2.

The motor` is mounted of the motor, clutches respectively indicated at 35.-31. the drive shaft 3 8 of the engine and the other clutch element is splined to a shaft 413 journaled in the -companion clutch element and in a suitable bearing 4I on cross-barA I3. Connected with the shaft 40 by meansof a universal joint 39 isN a .sleeve 42 which is splned to a shaft 43.' Referyring to Figure 12: It will be noted that the shaft 43-and sleeve 42 vare splined as at 44 whereby abearing 46, see `also Figure 13, the bearing being held bya bracket 4l on a cross-bar 48 of the This tionsof'the right-hand unit. To this end, the bearing is held at one side in its bracket, by a 'trunnion: 50 and is slotted at its opposite side The drive `shaft of the -motor has associated therewith, one at each side Oneof the clutch elements is keyed to as at 5| to slidably receive the end of a setl screw Referring -to Figure 3: 4Attached to the outer Aend of the shaft 43 is asprocket wheel 55 connected-by'fchain 5B to another sprocket 5l on @,iaigceeL so; This connection. snows! movements, of both:

units in aiverticalf plane whichiis transverse to direction of travel, and conformably toground'-l contours; Both cutter shafts arethus simu1tane= ously driven from one" andi the" same drivingmechanism.

Referring to' Figures..A 1, 2 ande: In a Similar manner, the rollingYsup'ports-or drum's are si* multaneously driven from the motor by a single driving mechanism which includes .the 'clutch-31' havingv one elementkeyed tothe drive shaft- 38 of the. motor and.l having the other elementlr splined on shaft 62. This shaft connectswith suitable reduction. gearing,` not-shown, but containedfin housingl:kr The reduction: gearing includes shaft. 64, see Figure 2,' which.r is connected. by a universal joint 6FA to a/sleeve 6:6'

to'which is splined ashaft' 61 mountedgin bear-A connected by a universal shaft lwith the shaft" l@ of the lright-hand drum 41 The connections 39e-3l, Ei@ and l5 lie substantially in the same horizontal plane andthe pivotal joints of these members are substantiallyr` aligned in direction oftravel of the units.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5: Those'parts of the drive meansy which are' disposed outwardly beyond bracket 13. and gear housing 63, are provided with universal and slip joints. The shaft 43, as well as the chains are all supported by the units. The universal splined connections are above the pivotal points of the units with the frame. The driven elements, drums and cutters, are below these points, as are the' universal drive shafts between cutters and drums. Each drum has the usual ratchet mechanism, not

'v shown, by which it is` driven from the. shaft, but

allows free rotationof the drum in non-driving direction.

For convenience, I haveused the expressions universal drive shaf and universal' connection. By these expressions, I mean any connection which will lallo-w relative motions between thev driving and driven shafts to permit adjustment of the units -conformably to ground contour and yet obtain proper drivingl actionA of vone shaft by the other. In this inventionthe function of these devices is to allow movements of the units in a verticalplaneI relatively to one another and relative to the driving connection between thev motor andthe reels andthe drums.

It is possible that other constructions would provide functionally equivalent ydevices for my purpose and these are intended to be covered by the claims. l

A feature of this invention relates to the use of only two mowers transversely aligned, as

shown. This is particularly advantageousk for mowers 'used for cutting putting greens, because two mowers alone are much easier to turn at` the end of thecut. Cutting is normally accomplished by going back and forth on the green inv tions throughout the whole width of the gr-een. I also believe itisnew toapply power tofthev outerend"cfa-.cutter or drumsliaft on one unit,

and' take off? powerl for a second 'unit at vthe oppo site'end of thesame shaft, andfalso believe it new to use a universal joint as a coupling between the inner ends-of theunits so driven that the units may rise and fall independently conformably- `to ground contours.' I'also believe it newfto have` a' through drive including consecutively arranged axially aligned. driving elements in two series, each including a chain or ecluiva` lent endless driving element. Another feature is the. arrangement of the drive' with two.

clutches, one arranged at each opposite side of the motor. units in transverse alignment, accomplished by usingtwoflinks in conjunctionr with the slidable and pivotal connections of the units with the upper frame.

The invention isfherein embodied in awalk 1l: The steeringbar is indicated' at Scand this is pivotally connected to the frame asA at' tilr` for motion in a'verticalA plane.v At the. end of the steering bar. is a handle bar 82f having at each* end a sleeve 83. rotatable thereon. These sleeves are adapted to be grasped by the hands ofthe operator-to control steering, and ythroughV suitable mechanism they control clutch operation. Each control mechanism. is 'a substantial duplicate4 of the other and includes an army 8don the sleeve 83, a rod 88 connects the arm.

with a bellcrank lever'! pivoted on the frame element I-ll. l The opposite end ofthe bellcrank lever `is 'connectedk by a rody with the outer end-of a clutch' lever 88 pivoted as. at 90. to an extension ofl the frame. The outer end of this lever is forked and.- engages pins Si carried byv the outer slidable member ofthe clutch. This outer member is urged to clutchA positionl by av spring 92;

Throttle controlfmeans lfor the engine is generally-l indicated at 95 and includes an element 9B' arranged near the handle bar 82 so as to.. be 'I'hismechanism has not'` beeny easily accessible. shownfindetailbecause it forms no part of the invention except that its terminal operating element is'arranged nearf the sleeves 83 so that all these velements are` easily accessible for controly bythe operator as he steers.` A suitable yielding` connection has been provided aty 91 between the` steering bar 80 and theengine block.

Another feature of the invention relatesto means attachable tothe mowing implement to raise thecutters from the groundk when it is desired to transport the implement-.from one green to another. This feature is not only applicable to the two'unit -variety of gang mower here illus ltrated; but also toY single unit mowers, particularly of the power type. -Where such mowers areemployed on putting greens, the transporta` tion from one greento the neXtisa Serious matter, because ofthe low adjustment for the cutting height thatvis-employed while mowing, the

delicate cutting edges and fine adjustment of the knives, and the rough terrain that has to be traversed between greens.

Referring now` to Figures-9 and l0'zsFigure 9v shows the device inuse and this device comprises a bar lllrhaving a swiveled .rolling element l-lat its outerend. This'rolling-element preferably hasv a tire indieatedv atl 10211.! The rolling` elementi A feature is the` scheme of holding and the two drums of the mowers form a three-roller support for the device, with the rolling supports related as the corners of a triangle, and the bar |00 is quickly attachable to or detachable from the implement in a manner to raise the cutters to the inoperative position shown. The bar |00 is provided near its inner end with a clip |03 forming with the top side of the bar a socket which receives a cross-member |041 supported by the cross-members I2. A second crossmember is indicated at |05 and lies above and is engaged by the clip |03, as shown. The bar |00 engages another cross member |05 arranged beneath the angle iron Il. The bar |00 has a lever pivoted on its side at |01, said lever having a hook or head |08 which engages on the top of the bar as shown. The lever has a long arm |2 which can be preliminarily sprung laterally, and which is adapted to be engaged with a stop ||3. In applying the device, the lever having been moved to th-e dotted line position of Figure 9, the bar is shoved inwardly to cause the element |04 to engage the socket. The lever is then flexed to the dotted line position of Figure and, after being brought to the full line position of Figure 9, is released to spring to the position of Figure l0.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in direction transverse to their direction of travel, and each having a cutter and rolling support, a frame, means separately attaching each unit to the frame to rockin a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, and means for each unit yieldably supl porting said frame and permitting each unit to rockin a Vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel; one of said attaching means being formed to permit sliding of the unit also in direction transverse to the direction of travel, a motor on the frame and means by which the motor drives the rolling supports and the cutters.

2. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, and each having a cutter and a rolling support, a frame, means separately attaching each unit to the frame to substantially only rock in a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, one of said attaching means being formed to permit sliding of the unit also in that transverse direction, means connecte ing the units to allow them to swing in said vertical plane, but to hold them square with the direction of travel, a motor on the frame, and means by which the motor separately drives the rolling supports and cutters.

3. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in direction transverse to their direction of travel, each unit having a roll-` ing support and a cutter, a frame, means separately attaching each unit tof the frame to rock in a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, one of said attaching means being formed to permit sliding of the unit also in direction transverse to the direction of travel, a motor on the frame, means by which the motor drives both rolling supports, one rolling support through the other, and drives both cutters, one cutter through the other.

4. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in direction transverse to their direction of travel, each unit having a ro-lling support and a cutter, a frame, means separately attaching each unit to the frame to rock ina vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, one of said attaching means being formed/to permit sliding of the unit also in direction transverse to the direction of travel, a motor on the frame, means by which the motor drives the rolling supports and cutters including connections which maintain the driving condition while the units adjust themselves to ground contours, means between the units by which the driving of the rolling support of one unit drives the rolling support of the other and similar means for the cutters, both of the last mentioned means including shaft connections at the inner sides of the cutters which permit independent swinging movements of either unit in a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel.

5. A mowing implement comprising two mower units spaced and aligned in a direction transversely to their direction of travel each unit having a rolling support and a cutter, a frame, means connecting each unit to the frame to permit independent motions of the unit conformably to ground contours, a motor on the frame, driving means connecting one side of the. motor with the outer end of one of the cutters, means connecting the opposite side of the motor with the outer end of the rolling support of the other unit, each driving means including means which allows motions of the units in a vertical plane 'which is transverse to the direction of travel, a shaft connecting the inner end of one cutter with the inner end of the other to allow motions of the units in a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, a shaft connection between the inner ends of the rolling supports for a similar purpose, and links connecting the inner ends of the units respectively forwardly and rearwardly of the aforementioned shafts and allowing movement of the units in a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, said shafts and said' links lying substantially in the same plane.

6. A mowing implement comprising only two mower units spaced and aligned in a direction transversely to their direction of traveleach unit having a rolling support and a cutter, a universal drive shaft operably connecting the inner ends of the cutters, a universal drive shaft similarly connecting the inner ends of the rolling supports, a frame, means connecting each unit to the'frame to permit independent motions of the units conformably to ground contours, a motor 'on the frame, driving means connecting one side of the motor with the outer side of one of the cutters, driving means connecting the opposite side of the motor with the outer end of the rolling support of the other unit, each-driving means including, a universal connection which lies above the aforesaid means which connects the unit to the frame.

7. A mowing implement comprising only two mower units spaced and aligned in a direction transversely to their direction of travel each unit having a rolling support and a cutter, a universal drive shaft operably connecting the inner ends of the cutter, a universal drive shaft similarly connecting the inner ends of the rolling supports, a frame, means connecting each unit to the frame to permit independent motions of the unit conformably to ground contours, a motor on the frame, driving means connecting one side of the motor with the outer side of one of the cutters, driving means connecting the opposite side of the motor with the outer end of the rolling support of the other unit.

8. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in direction transverse to their direction of travel, a frame, means connecting one of the units to the frame for movement other unit to rock in a similar plane, and -to move upwardly, and means r'yieldably resisting such motions, and means cross-connecting the vinner ends of the units at the front and rear topermit swinging motion of each unit in a vertical plane but to hold the units square with the direction of travel. y. w v1 9. A mowing implement 'comprising a pair of mower units aligned in direction transverse to their direction of travel, a frame, means connecting one .of the units to the frame for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the unit and for rocking movement in a vertical plane conformably to ground contours. means connecting the other unit for rocking movement in a similar plane, means vcross-connecting the inner ends of the units at the front and rear to permit swinging motion of each unit in a vertical plane but to hold the unit square with the direction of travel, each unit having `a cutter and a supporting drum, a motoren the frame, and means by ywhich the motor separately drives the drums and the cutters, including Auniversally jointed and splined shafts arranged above the level of the connections between the frame and the units for permitting motions of the units conformably to ground contours.

10. A mowing implement comprising a pair of `mowerunits,` each having a driving drum and a cutterja frame, means for each unit connecting itrto the frameto permit independent movement oithe` unit conformably tofgroundjcontours, a motor carried by the frame, separate first means by which the motor drives bothv rolling supports 1 independently of the cutters, separate second means by which the motor drives both cutters independently of the roller supports, both driving means including a clutch for controlling power transmission by the motor, the first driving means including a universal shaft connection between the inner ends of the rolling supports. the second driving means including a similar connection between the cutters.

'11. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units each having a rolling support and a cutter, spacing means for the units, means for each unit connecting it to the spacing means to permit independent movement of the unit conformably to ground contours, a motor carried by the spacing means, separate iirst means by which` the motor drives both rolling supports independently of the cutters, and separate second means by which the motor drives both cutters independently of the rolling supports.

12. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units each having a rolling supportv and a cutter, a frame, means for each unit connecting it to the frame to permit independent movement of the unit conformably to ground contours, a motor carried by the frame, separate rst means by which the motor drives both rolling supports independently of the cutters, and separate second Vmeans by which the motor drives both cutters independently of the rolling supports.

13. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units each having a rolling support and a cutter, spacing means for the units, means for each unit connecting it to the spacing means to permit independent movement of the unit conformably to ground contours, a motor carried by the spacing means, separate iirst means by which the motor drivesl both rolling .supports independ-` ently of the cutters, and separate second means by which the motor drives both cutters independentlyv of lthe rolling supports, said rst vdriving means including a r`'clutch for controlling power transmission bythe motor and said-second driving means includinga clutch for asimilar purvmeans byv which the motor drives both' cutters independently of the rolling-supports, said rst driving means including a iirst clutch for con' trolling power transmission by the motor and said second driving means `including a second clutch for a similar purpose, means by which one sleeve when rotated rcontrols the rst clutch,

' and means by which the other sleeve similarly controls the second clutch.

15. Al mowing implement including a pair of mowing units each having a rolling support and a cutter, said units being aligned transversely of:

their line of travel and means detachably secured to the implement in a mannerrto raise the cutters to an'inoperative position and having a rolling element lwhich acts with the rolling-elements of the unitl to provide a rolling support for the implement.

4 16. A mowing implement including only two mowing units each having a rolling support and a cutter, said units being aligned transversely of theirli'neof travel'and being'co'nnected tothe frame, the cutter being ldisplacekil frc'imthe rolling support in direction of travel, and anarm detachably connected to the frame and having a rolling support which actsv to raise the cutters to an inoperative position and acts with the rolling supports of the units to provide rolling-support for the implement.

17. In a gang mower comprising a plurality of mower unitslaterally spaced from each other along a line substantially transversely to the directionY of movement of said gang, a frame entirely supported on said laterally spaced mowing units, front and rear rolling supports for each ofy said units, front and rear connections from the frame to each unit whereby the unitsare maintained substantially in transverse alignment, and vertically elastic means cooperating with one of said connections to each unit whereby the front or rearsupport of either unit may independently `move vertically without appreciable resistance by said frame. Y

18. In a gang mower comprising a plurality of mower units laterally spaced from each other along a line substantially transverse to the direction of movement o f said gang, a frame entirely supportedon saidlaterally spaced mowing units, front and rear rolling supports for each of said units, front and rear connections from the frame to each unit whereby the units are maintained substantially in transverse alignment, one

for each vertically movable connection normally supporting the frame at the upper limit of said motion but yieldable to permit vertical movement of the front or rear support of a unit independently of the other supports of said units.

19, A walk type mower having a rolling support and'cutting elements disposed forwardly of the support, a guiding handle extending rearwardly of the support, an arm detachably secured to the mower extending forwardly of the cutting elements, and a castor with rolling element engaging said arm and supporting the cutting elements in inoperative position off from the ground whereby the said handle is adapted for steering the mower upon its ground support with the cooperation of said castor.

20. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in direction transverse to their direction of travel, and each having a cutter and rolling support, a frame entirely supported by Said transversely aligned mower units, means separately attaching each unit to the frame to rock in a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, and means for each unit yieldably supporting said frame and permitting each unit to rock in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel, a motor on the frame and means by which the motor drives the rolling supports and the cutters.

21. A mowing implement comprising a pair of mower units aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, and each having a cutter and a rolling support, a frame entirely supported by said units, means separately attaching each unit to the frame to substantially only rock in 3 a vertical plane which is transverse to the direction of travel, means connecting the units to allow them to swing in said vertical plane, but to hold them square with the direction of travel, a motor on the frame, and means by which the motor separately drives the rolling supports and cutters.

2,2. A walk type gang mower comprising a gang frame with a guiding handle extending rearwardly therefrom, a'plurality of mowing units be neath the gang frame and disposed transversely to the direction of travel, each unit comprising a unit frame with a cutter and a ground rolling element connected thereto on an axis displaced from the cutter, and with a ground support adt jacent to the cutter, vertically resilient gang frame supporting means extending from each unit frame to said gang frame and adapted to permit rocking of each unit relatively to the gang frame in vertical planes or rocking of the gang frame, and limiting means operative between the gang frame and each unit, whereby rocking of the gang frame in a direction of travel, relative to each unit is limited, and whereby each of said units can be tipped to raise the cutter from the ground upon vertical movement of said guiding handle.

23. A power lawn mower comprising a frame, ground rolling elements transversely aligned and connected to support the frame, cutting elements revoluble on an axis parallel to the ground rolling elements and connected to be displaced in a direction of travel therefrom, a motor on said frame having a power shaft parallel to the ground `rolling elements, power transmitting means including a clutch connected from one end of said power shaft to the rolling elements, and other power transmitting means including'a clutch connected from the other end of said power shaft to the cutting elements.

24. A mower having a frame with a rolling support and a cutter displaced from the support in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel during cutting, and means detachably secured to the frame and extending beyond the cutter in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel during cutting, a caster wheel mounted on the extending portion of said detachable frame for carrying the frame and cutter in elevated positions out of contact with the ground. Y

JOHN S. CLAPPER. 

